Comprehensive Screening and Treatment of Oral Cancer to Keep You Safe and Healthy

The American Cancer Society reports more than 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer each year.

Almost 10,000 people die each year due to the disease. If oral cancer detection occurs in the early stages, the survival rate is 80-90%.

Unfortunately, the detection of most oral cancers happen in the late stages, so the death rate is high at 45% within five years of diagnosis. Consistent annual appointments are crucial to spotting the signs early.

Many factors increase your oral cancer risks:

Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff
Heavy alcohol use
Excessive sun exposure to your lips
Exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV)
A weakened immune system

We Know the Signs

The dentist at Lake Mary Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry can diagnose oral cancer with an annual oral cancer exam and treat it when caught in the earliest stages.

Oral Cancer Exams

An oral cancer examination is a completely painless process.

Our Lake Mary dentist performs a visual exam looking for abnormalities and feel the face, neck, and glands for unusual bumps during routine cleaning and check-up. They may also use a laser to examine below the surface for lesions or signs of the disease.

Red Patches and Sores

We look for red, white, or pink patches on the floor of the mouth or the front or sides of the tongue that fail to heal. We also look for sores that bleed easily. These symptoms can be indicative of cancerous (pathologic) changes.

Leukoplakia

These lesions appear as raised, white or gray areas inside the mouth. We treat these lesions as they may be cancerous or become cancerous.

Lumps

Another sign we look for is the general thickening of tissue, soreness, or lumps in the throat or mouth.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call us immediately for an examination.

A lip or mouth sore that doesn't heal
A white or red patch on the inside of your mouth
Loose teeth
A growth or lump inside your mouth
Consistent mouth or ear pain
Difficult or painful swallowing

Diagnosis and Treatment of Oral Cancer: If any of these signs are present, the dentist at Lake Mary Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry creates a treatment plan. We may decide to perform a biopsy of the area. A biopsy requires the extraction of affected tissue which a lab tests and diagnoses. We either cut a small sample from the area or remove the entire abnormality.

Most people receive a clean bill of health with negative results. However, if the result is positive, take comfort in knowing that your healthcare is in excellent hands. We will be here for you every step of the way.

No matter the diagnosis, you are in good hands

with our staff and doctors here at Lake Mary Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry.

Flexible Payment Options

For High-Quality Dental Care in Lake Mary

For your convenience, Lake Mary Family, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry accepts:

A wide range of PPO dental insurance plans - click here to see which insurances we accept
In-house discount plan and specials for patients without insurance
Cash and check
All major credit cards, including MasterCard, VISA, Discover, American Express, and more

We do NOT accept HMO or Medicaid plans.